An improved synthesis of cis-4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT): a selective MT(2) melatonin receptor antagonist.

A novel, efficient and diastereoselective procedure was developed for the gram-scale synthesis of cis-4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT), a selective MT(2) melatonin receptor antagonist. The synthetic strategy involved the conversion of 4-phenyl-2-tetralone to enamide followed by diastereoselective reduction affording cis-4-P-PDOT in good yield. The mechanism of the reduction step was explored by employing deuterated reagents.